Out-of-Plane Seismic Performance of Precast Concrete Shear Walls with Grouted Corrugated Duct Connections

Grouted corrugated duct connections offer advantages of simplicity and cost-effectiveness over alternative connection methods. Seismic damage investigations have revealed that severe out-of-plane damage can occur in shear walls, a vulnerability that is markedly exacerbated when single-row connection configurations are used. To evaluate their out-of-plane seismic performance, low-cycle reversed loading tests were conducted on six full-scale specimens comprising four precast walls (with vertical bar layout and axial load ratio varied as single-/double-row and 0/0.12) and two cast-in-place reference walls. The results indicate that all specimens failed in flexure, with precast walls exhibiting stiffness degradation patterns similar to their cast-in-place counterparts. Under an axial load ratio of 0.12, both wall types demonstrated hysteretic behavior with significant pinching. Although the bearing capacity of precast walls was reduced by up to 14% compared to cast-in-place walls, their ductility was markedly enhanced: displacement ductility coefficients reached 3.92 (double-row) and 5.37 (single-row), considerably exceeding the value of 2.73 for the cast-in-place wall. Under zero axial load, no strength degradation was observed at the test termination. The single-row connected specimen exhibited pronounced rocking behavior, with rocking displacement accounting for 49% of the total displacement. This resulted in severely pinched hysteresis loops and a cumulative energy dissipation capacity of less than 40% of that of the corresponding cast-in-place specimen. These findings necessitate the implementation of structural enhancement measures for single-row connections under low axial load ratios.